Retinoids and Interferons as Antiangiogenic Cancer Drugs

Abstract

Retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that include active metabolites of vitamin A (retinol) as well as a diverse array of synthetic derivatives. Vitamin A is required for normal embryonic development, epithelial homeostasis, maintainance of reproductive capacity, and functioning of the visual cycle (1). Additionally, retinoids have been shown to modulate a wide variety of cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, homeostasis, and malignant transformation (for reviews see refs. 2–5). Retinoids also act pharmacologically to restore regulation of differentiation and growth in certain premalignant and malignant cells in vitro and in vivo (6, 7). Consequently, retinoids are under study as therapeutic and chemopreventive agents for a variety of cancers (see refs. 8–10 for reviews). Retinoids are also potent drugs for the treatment of severe cystic acne, psoriasis, and several other dermatologic disorders (11).